Health Problems of Women in Mixed-Farm Households

Investigations were made into the actual working and living conditions of adults, both men and women, in the families engaged in mixed farming. The working conditions were analyzed according to the types of crops farmers are growing. The work study was necessary to probe into the causes of farmers' health disturbances. A questionnaire revealed that farmers are short of sleep during the busiest season. Especially housewives are forced to cut down on their sleeping hours. It also found that some farmers spray pesticides in quantity and expose themselves to the potentially health injurious chemicals with alarming frequency. There was evidence to show that some ailments, notably low back pain, had been reduced due to imporovements on farmwork and working environment. Health checkups showed that the incidences of hypercholesterolemia and obesity remain high. There was imbalance between carolic intake and consumption.